Football

MBABANE – Eswatini’s national football team, Sihlangu, have departed for Cape Verde for their final 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier without seven key players.

The national side, led by Head of Delegation Sicelo Nene, departed two days ago via Ngwenya Border Gate en route to Oliver Tambo International Airport before making stops on their way to Cape Verde. Eswatini faces the ‘Blue Sharks’ next Monday, having lost the first leg 0-2. Cape Verde drew 3-3 with Libya on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Sihlangu met with challenges forcing them to spend the night in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday. It is said their departure from OR International Airport delayed as the airplane was overheating amid unfavourable weather conditions.

The Eswatini delegation spent about three hours as engineers and air traffic controllers monitored the situation. Impeccable sources confirmed that when they reached Dubai, the flight to Morocco, which would be their next stoppage before Cape Verde, had already left. This means they would now arrive about 26 hours before their game in Cape Verde.

Normally, a team arrives about 48 hours before a match at the host venue. Angola is reported to have delayed their arrival in Eswatini due to flight issues as well.

Regardless, there are no extra costs incurred by the local football mother-body with the airline catering for their night in Dubai. An estimated over a million was spent on accommodation, flight tickets, visa application and insurance for this trip.

Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe confirmed these latest updates. “There were delays in their flights due to challenges. The airline will cater for their night in Dubai as we are not at fault,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, South African outfit Amazulu reserve side forward Alakhe Mdluli headlines the list of released stars. Six of these players have been released to bolster their club sides ahead of upcoming continental fixtures. The six players—three each from Nsingizini Hotspurs and Royal Leopard—were withdrawn following requests from the clubs to allow them adequate time to prepare for the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. “The technical team is at liberty to select their preferred players with no favouritism,” Radebe added.

Full article available in our publication.

Sihlangu and Zambian giants Lindo 'Bhabhalazi Mkhonta is part of the 20-man squad that left the country for Cape Verde. (Pic: Melusi Mkhabela